Shopsmith Forums

Hello and thank you for allowing me to join. I have been a wood worker for over 50 years and have re-kindled my desire to do more turning.

I have a very old 10ER, somewhere around 1947. It does not have any variable speed except for belt changing. Is it possible to use a Mark 5 or newer head on the old 10ER frame? Changing the head speed with the belts is possible but not easiest.

I see some Mark 5 heads on ebay that would allow variable speed. Also, does the Mark 5 head have the same spindle thread? A replacement head would cost less than the purchase of a dedicated lathe even if it were a Harbor Freight beast. I would prefer a Jet but my finances will not allow that.

I use the Shopsmith only for turning since I also have dedicated machines for most of the 'other' wood working tasks.

Any opinions and specifications to compare would be very helpful.

Best regards,

wings515

Why not just buy ER speed changer off of EBay, they run about $175 for a rebuilt one. On low setting you have a 425-1500 RPM range. I dont think the Mark V head fits the tube spacing on an ER.

wings515 wrote:Hello and thank you for allowing me to join. I have been a wood worker for over 50 years and have re-kindled my desire to do more turning.

I have a very old 10ER, somewhere around 1947. It does not have any variable speed except for belt changing. Is it possible to use a Mark 5 or newer head on the old 10ER frame? Changing the head speed with the belts is possible but not easiest.

I see some Mark 5 heads on ebay that would allow variable speed. Also, does the Mark 5 head have the same spindle thread? A replacement head would cost less than the purchase of a dedicated lathe even if it were a Harbor Freight beast. I would prefer a Jet but my finances will not allow that.

I use the Shopsmith only for turning since I also have dedicated machines for most of the 'other' wood working tasks.

Any opinions and specifications to compare would be very helpful.

Best regards,

wings515

Welcome aboard.

Yes the 10ER and Mark 5 both have a 5/8" plain spindle (not threaded), however the way tubes on a Mk 5 are spaced wider apart than the way tubes on a 10ER, so the headstocks are not interchangeable. In addition the Mark 5 spindle height above the ways is also different so the tailstock wouldn't work either.

One option is the Speed Changer that was sold as an accessory for the 10E/ER. in addition to giving variable speed they also provide a wider range of speeds.
They come up on eBay and usually sell in the $150-200 range, it can be cheaper to watch your local Craigslist and find a 10er that comes with one.
I use one on my 10ER and It works great. Another, more expensive, option is to change to a variable speed DC motor.
http://mkctools.com/10erparts.htm

FWIW, it is generally agreed upon that the 10E or 10ER is a better lathe and drill press than the Mark 5 or Mark V.

The speed changer has two ranges. Belt changes are only required for changing the RANGE. Spindle speeds available are 425 - 1600 and 1850 - 6800. The Mark 5/V headstocks only range from 700 - 5200.

I agree a used speed changer is the better choice.

A caveat is they are easily broken if used incorrectly. Make sure any that are being considered for purchase have not been broken and 'repaired'.

Ask us and we can tell thee if an item is reasonable. We do not undercut another member here. Most of us here are old enough to know better!

Welcome back to the wood shop!!!!!

An error on JPGs part.
The speed changer has two ranges. Belt changes are only required for changing the RANGE. Spindle speeds available are 250 - 1600 and 1850 - 6800.

ERLover wrote:An error on JPGs part.
The speed changer has two ranges. Belt changes are only required for changing the RANGE. Spindle speeds available are 250 - 1600 and 1850 - 6800.

Happy to have made thy day!!!! !!!!!

JPG wrote:

ERLover wrote:An error on JPGs part.
The speed changer has two ranges. Belt changes are only required for changing the RANGE. Spindle speeds available are 250 - 1600 and 1850 - 6800.

Happy to have made thy day!!!! !!!!!

Not a problem, you would have done the same for me.

ERLover wrote:An error on JPGs part.
The speed changer has two ranges. Belt changes are only required for changing the RANGE. Spindle speeds available are 250 - 1600 and 1850 - 6800.

Huh? I think you better look again at the chart you posted.

jsburger wrote:

ERLover wrote:An error on JPGs part.
The speed changer has two ranges. Belt changes are only required for changing the RANGE. Spindle speeds available are 250 - 1600 and 1850 - 6800.

Huh? I think you better look again at the chart you posted.

What am I missing John?

ERLover wrote:

jsburger wrote:

ERLover wrote:An error on JPGs part.
The speed changer has two ranges. Belt changes are only required for changing the RANGE. Spindle speeds available are 250 - 1600 and 1850 - 6800.

Huh? I think you better look again at the chart you posted.

What am I missing John?

The chart says 425 low speed , you posted 250, Not every one has the larger pulley for the drive sleeve.